Brake cartridges for power equipment

Abstract

Safety systems for power equipment and components and brake cartridges for use in those safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems, components and brake cartridges are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. An exemplary brake cartridge includes a housing and a braking component configured to engage a moving part of the power tool upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The brake cartridge may further include a switch configured so that proper installation of the cartridge in the power tool triggers the switch.

1. A brake cartridge for use in safety systems for power tools, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing; 
 a system to perform a predetermined action, where at least part of the system is enclosed within the housing; 
 circuitry enclosed in the housing and adapted to trigger the system; 
 switch means enclosed in the housing and operably associated with the circuitry for indicating through activation of the switch means that the cartridge is properly installed in a power tool; and 
 switch contactor means enclosed in the housing for activating the switch means when the cartridge is properly installed in the power tool. 
 
     
     
       2. A brake cartridge for use in safety systems for power tools, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing; 
 a brake pawl associated with the housing and adapted to pivot relative to the housing; 
 a spring at least partially enclosed in the housing and adapted to pivot the brake pawl relative to the housing when the spring expands; 
 a fuse wire adapted to hold the spring in compression; 
 circuitry enclosed in the housing and adapted to fuse the fuse wire to release the spring; 
 a plug associated with the housing and adapted to engage a corresponding plug in the power tool; 
 switch means enclosed in the housing for indicating the cartridge is properly installed when the switch means is activated, where the switch means is configured to be activated through contact; and 
 switch contactor means enclosed in the housing for contacting and activating the switch means when the cartridge is properly installed in the power tool. 
 
     
     
       3. The brake cartridge of  claim 2 , further comprising aperture means for receiving a rotatable key, where rotation of the key causes the switch contactor means to contact and activate the switch means. 
     
     
       4. The brake cartridge of  claim 3 , where the aperture means is configured to allow the key to rotate to cause the switch contactor means to contact and activate the switch means only when the cartridge is properly installed in the power tool.